The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Massachusetts
- What to Look For
- Program Accreditation
- Best Massachusetts NP Programs and Schools
- Applying to Massachusetts NP Programs
- Paying for Massachusetts NP Programs
- Career Opportunities
- FAQs
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Thomas H. Mitchell / 500px / Getty ImagesNurse practitioner programs in Massachusetts graduate highly trained nursing professionals. These nurses are ready to earn board certification in a specialization and pursue advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure.
This guide offers all you need to know about the best nurse practitioner (NP) programs in Massachusetts, including what to look for in a school, how to apply, and where to find help with funding.
Explore our list of top Massachusetts nurse practitioner programs and learn about your post-graduation opportunities and salary potential.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nurse practitioner programs in Massachusetts, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: Academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
At a Glance: The Top NP Programs in Massachusetts
- Northeastern University
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- University of Massachusetts-Boston
- MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Endicott College
- MCPHS University
- American International College
- Salem State University
Featured Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Using Our Rankings: What To Look For in a Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Program
The search for your ideal NP program starts with defining your goals, interests, and resources. Metrics like available specializations, clinical formats, and program lengths highlight your best options.
Data points, such as accreditation and board certification rate, indicate which programs will best prepare you for your future career.
Bear in mind that master of science in nursing (MSN) programs across the country are slowly phasing out; employers will require a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from nurse practitioners come 2025. States may decide on their own how to proceed. Learn more about the difference between MSN vs. DNP degrees.
Admission Requirements
Checking the program admission requirements ensures that you meet the minimum standards and improves your chances of applying to schools that will accept you.
Specializations
As an RN, you likely have a specialty area in mind, such as family, gerontology, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatric, or women’s health. Make sure the programs that interest you offer the specialization you’d like to pursue.
Clinical Experience
NP programs require clinical rotations, and some programs offer assistance with securing positions. If not, consider how and where you will find opportunities that work for your schedule and location.
Accreditation
It’s important to attend an accredited school and program. Not only does accreditation signify academic quality, but certification boards require graduation from an accredited program, as do many employers. State licensure boards also require you to attend an accredited program.
Program Length
Most NP programs take two years to finish, but may take longer if you enroll part-time. You can complete the program faster if you opt for an accelerated or bridge program.
Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Rate
Before spending an average of two years on your NP education, you’ll want to be confident that the program will prepare you to pass your board certification exam and qualify you for APRN licensing.
Why Is Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
The programs listed in this guide all hold accreditation from organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The reasons you want to confirm programmatic accreditation include the following:
- Accreditation entails regular and rigorous academic review to ensure that the programs prepare NPs for success
- Doctoral nursing programs may not accept transfer credits from non-accredited master’s programs
- Certification boards require graduation from accredited programs
- You may not qualify for federal financial aid if you enroll in an unaccredited program
- Degrees from accredited programs look better on resumes, and some employers and state licensure boards may require them
Learn More About the Best Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Programs & Schools
Northeastern University
Boston, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University offers high-quality accredited graduate nursing education in a variety of specialty concentrations. Several programs are available online, as well as a certificate of advanced graduate study.
Students explore leadership in nursing and graduate equipped to provide care to populations of all ages.
- Program(s): Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner; adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner; neonatal nurse practitioner; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; family nurse practitioner; pediatric nurse practitioner; online nurse practitioner master of science
- Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation; New England Commission on Higher Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $1,752 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Varies by clinical concentration. All require successful completion of a course in applied statistics within the previous five years; acute care nursing experience; minimum 3.5 GPA; resume; personal statement; letters of recommendation; current U.S. RN licensure; interview; official transcripts
- Minimum Time Commitment: 16-48 months
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 88%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $110,878 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$54,360
- Out-of-state$54,360
- In-State$25,264
- Out-of-state$25,264
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate20%
- Students Enrolled22,905
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
- Lowell, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Massachusetts - Lowell offers a family health nurse practitioner program and an adult-gerontological primary care nurse practitioner program.
The programs provide objective structured clinical examination sessions. Trained actors assume the role of standardized patients, assigned profiles of all ages, races, sexual orientations, and gender identities with a variety of medical histories and conditions.
Part-time and full-time study options available.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Lowell, Massachusetts
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Admission Requirements: A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program; GPA of 3.0 or better; introductory course in statistics; unencumbered, current Massachusetts RN license; resume; two letters of recommendation; a goal statement; computer literacy; official transcripts; completed application and fees
- Minimum Time Commitment: 42 credit hours
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 97%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $84,653 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$15,078
- Out-of-state$33,004
- In-State$14,590
- Out-of-state$26,370
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled18,150
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Boston
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Massachusetts - Boston Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers several master's-level educational tracks for students seeking a career as a nurse practitioner. Both clinical concentrations require students to work with preceptors for a minimum of 500 hours of clinical time.
Part- and full-time options are available for both concentrations. The curriculum meets the needs of working nurses, with courses offered in the classroom and online.
An entirely online post-master's nurse practitioner certificate program is available for master's-prepared nurses seeking to become nurse practitioners, or current nurse practitioners seeking an additional family primary care certification.
Since both concentrations are in primary care, clinical placements in primary care are highly recommended.
- Program(s): Adult-gerontological primary care nurse practitioner; family nurse practitioner primary care
- Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $7,271 per semester for in-state residents; $17,758 per semester for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Completed application form; personal statement; official transcripts from all schools attended; two professional references; a resume; a copy of RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 3-4 years
- On-campus requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 93%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $99,439 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$14,187
- Out-of-state$34,649
- In-State$18,433
- Out-of-state$35,980
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled16,259
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions is a not-for-profit, graduate-level educational institution with state-of-the-art interactive classrooms and labs. The school offers more than 450 clinical affiliations at Mass General Brigham sites, as well as other partner organizations.
Of the current faculty members, 70% hold a doctoral or terminal degree. The school boasts a 95% graduation rate.
Certificate of advanced study programs are available for RNs with a master of science in nursing, as well as RNs with a master of science in nursing who are also certified as nurse practitioners and wish to add an additional specialty to their career.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner; pediatric nurse practitioner; psychiatric mental health lifespan nurse practitioner; women's health nurse practitioner; adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner; adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner; dual adult-gerontology/women's health
- Campus: Boston, Massachusetts
- Type: Not-for-profit
- Accreditations: New England Commission of Higher Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $1,397 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university; successful completion of course in statistics; official transcripts: statement of intent; personal statement; diversity statement; a resume or CV; letters of recommendation.
- On-campus requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 94%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $97,786 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$73,200
- Out-of-state$73,200
- In-State$65,070
- Out-of-state$65,070
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,269
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Endicott College
- Beverly, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Endicott College is a seaside, private college offering a family nurse practitioner (FNP) program for those seeking advanced practice nursing education. The FNP track comprises a 45-credit-hour hybrid program that mixes online and evening courses to suit the lifestyle of the working student.
With a focus on evidence-based practice, students receive practical experience from highly skilled faculty for a minimum of 600 clinical hours.
- Program: Family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Beverly, Massachusetts
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $18,463 per semester
- Admission Requirements: Completed application; a letter of recommendation; official transcripts; a personal statement; a resume or CV; verification of unrestricted RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 96%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,079 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$34,470
- Out-of-state$34,470
- In-State$12,666
- Out-of-state$12,666
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled4,287
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
MCPHS University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers fully online nurse practitioner programs in Massachusetts. The certificate of advanced graduate studies is available for both the family nurse practitioner and the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner tracks for RNs with an MSN who are not yet certified as nurse practitioners. It also benefits nurse practitioners who wish to add a new specialty certification to their resume.
Traditional master of science in nursing programs are available for the family nurse practitioner and the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner tracks. An RN-to-MSN track is offered for the family nurse practitioner concentration.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner; RN-to-MSN – family nurse practitioner; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner – certificate of advanced graduate studies; psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner – bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Boston, Massachusetts; Worcester, Massachusetts
- Type: Private, not-for-profit
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $1,325 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: BSN from an accredited university; official transcripts; letter of recommendation; completed application; official AP or CLEP scores; GPA of 3.0 or higher in nursing course work; unencumbered RN license; a resume
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months, part-time
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 85%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $103,449 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$33,600
- Out-of-state$33,600
- In-State$22,230
- Out-of-state$22,230
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled7,501
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
American International College
- Springfield, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
American International College offers an array of educational programs related to healthcare professions, including undergraduate and graduate nursing, physical and occupational therapy, speech language pathology, exercise science, and public health.
AIC's online family nurse practitioner program in Massachusetts comprises 46 credits across three years. Students receive training in primary care clinical management, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment and diagnosis. The program culminates with a capstone experience.
- Program: Master of science in nursing – family nurse practitioner; post-master's certificate family nurse practitioner concentration
- Campus: Springfield, Massachusetts
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $800 per credit (year 1); $980 per credit (year 2+)
- Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate GPA of 3.0 or better, and baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; active RN license; official transcripts; current unencumbered RN license; two letters of recommendation; personal statement
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 77%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $67,602 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$38,220
- Out-of-state$38,220
- In-State$12,657
- Out-of-state$12,657
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled2,612
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
Salem State University
- Salem, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Salem State University, located in historic Salem, Massachusetts, offers one clinical track for nurses interested in a career as a nurse practitioner: adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
An MSN is also offered for those who seek to advance their practice without specializing. Learners can pursue a post-master's certificate at another institution of higher learning in the future if they later choose to specialize their education.
- Program: Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
- Campus: Salem, Massachusetts
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
- Tuition: $8,986 for in-state residents; $10,649 for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN from accredited school; official transcripts; GPA of 3.0 or higher; GRE scores if GPA lower than 3.0; resume; completion of course in statistics; personal/goal statement; three letters of recommendation; active Massachusetts RN license; one year of relevant clinical professional experience; interview with program faculty
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 total credits
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020): 89%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,854 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$910
- Out-of-state$7,050
- In-State$2,520
- Out-of-state$4,140
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled7,242
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Applying to a Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Program
When researching NP programs in Massachusetts, pay attention to the admission requirements, including minimum GPAs, test scores, and prerequisites.
You may also need certain levels of work experience, sometimes specialty-specific. For example, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) need two or more years of critical-care experience.
Start compiling your admission materials early: order transcripts, write personal essays, and solicit recommendations.
While schools and programs may vary on application criteria, the list below covers typical requirements:
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program- 3.0 GPA
- RN license
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy and physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Human growth and development, Statistics, Basic life support
Admission Materials
- Official transcripts
- Personal statements
- Two professional references
- Resume
- Academic writing sample
- Admissions interview
Paying for Nurse Practitioner Programs
Like admission requirements, tuition and costs vary by program. Factors that influence cost include program length, full- or part-time enrollment, state residence, public or private institutional status, and your ability to continue working while studying.
Many students find they need help paying for their NP program and can access a variety of financial aid options.
NP programs in Massachusetts may offer their own scholarships, or you can tap into private scholarships and grants, often listed on schools’ websites. Federal and private loans are another source of funding.
Loan forgiveness programs help you repay your debts. Your post-graduation employer may offer tuition reimbursement, or you can apply for federal loan repayment options if you’re willing to spend a couple of years working with an underserved population, in the military, or in a rural community.
What Can You Do With a Degree from a Nurse Practitioner Program?
A two-year master of science in nursing (MSN) can facilitate career advancement, expand employment opportunities, and lead to higher salaries.
While an MSN currently meets the minimum educational requirements for becoming an NP, many NP programs in Massachusetts award doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees.
As touched on earlier, this shift anticipates a future change to the minimum standards, from MSN to DNP. DNPs can take 3-4 years to finish, but licensed RNs can earn their doctorates sooner through RN-to-DNP bridge programs.
NPs specialize in areas that include acute care, adult-gerontology, family, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatric, and women’s health.
The Massachusetts nursing board licenses NPs as APRNs. Annual salaries for Massachusetts NPs average $129,540 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s projected employment growth for NPs is 55.7% for 2020-2030.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Nurse Practitioner Programs
How do I become an NP in Massachusetts?
The first step is to earn a nursing diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree and pass the NCLEX for your RN license. RNs often gain work experience before entering a graduate nursing program (MSN or DNP). The last steps are passing the board certification exam in your specialty area and obtaining your APRN license.
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Massachusetts?
The time it takes to become an NP in Massachusetts depends on your starting point and degree choices. If you don’t yet have your RN license or BSN, you will need to spend four years in nursing school, then at least two additional years earning your MSN or DNP. If you already hold an RN license, you will spend 2-4 years in a graduate nursing program.
What can nurse practitioners do in Massachusetts?
NPs specialize in a patient population and provide primary care services. Their job duties are similar to those of physicians. NPs can choose to work with older adults, children and teenagers, families, or focus on women’s health or neonatal care. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practice is another option.
Can an NP have their own practice in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts nurse practitioners have full practice authority, which means they can practice independently and provide comprehensive primary and acute care services and prescribe medications without the oversight of a physician. Not many states grant full practice authority at the application stage like this.
Explore Other Massachusetts Nursing Programs
December 1, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.